clumsy

adjective

clum·sy | \ ˈkləm-zē

clumsier; clumsiest

Definition of clumsy

1a : lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace clumsy fingers

b : lacking tact or subtlety a clumsy joke

2 : awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy a clumsy contraption criticized her sentence for its clumsy construction

Other Words from clumsy Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about clumsy

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Choose the Right Synonym for clumsy

awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct). awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact. periods of awkward silence clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill. a clumsy mechanic maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations. a maladroit politician inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy. a hopelessly inept defense attorney gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding. felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Examples of clumsy in a Sentence

I'm sorry about spilling your wine—that was very clumsy of me. I have very clumsy hands and tend to drop things. She made a clumsy attempt at a joke.

Recent Examples on the Web

This clumsy and confusing media player has needed killing for years. — Hiawatha Bray, BostonGlobe.com, "For iTunes, a long-needed reorganization," 10 June 2019 And the risk of a clumsy mistake that triggers a financial panic is high. — The Economist, "America is deploying a new economic arsenal to assert its power," 6 June 2019 You have been instructed to remove the clumsy black mortarboard at this point in the commencement ceremony. — Joyce Carol Oates, Harper's magazine, "The Unexpected," 10 May 2019 And none of us would complain if Honda obsessed over a better solution than the 10-speed automatic's clumsy shift buttons. — Car and Driver, "2019 10Best Cars," 28 Nov. 2018 Oliver awarded Real a penalty in the 93rd minute at the Santiago Bernabeu, after Juve defender Mehdi Benatia brought down Lucas Vazquez with a clumsy challenge from behind. — Thomas Allnutt, chicagotribune.com, "Buffon: referee Oliver 'has garbage bag instead of heart'," 11 Apr. 2018 Like most of the Democratic establishment’s clumsy, heavy-handed moves, the attack on the slightly-more-liberal Democrat Moser seems to have completely backfired. — Will Bunch, Philly.com, "The anti-Trump resistance hits a wall: The Democratic Party establishment | Will Bunch," 1 Mar. 2018 The book is beautifully illustrated with simple line drawings to help even the most clumsy camper, climber or sailor to master any number of handy knots. — Claire Cock-starkey, WSJ, "What to Give: Reference Books," 15 Nov. 2018 Too clumsy to be featured in the circus elephant act, he is made into a clown instead. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "New trailer for Disney’s live-action Dumbo captures magic of original," 15 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clumsy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.